The U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office is taking a giant leap forward with a significant investment to innovate and improve geothermal energy technologies. A substantial $31 million funding opportunity is now available for cutting-edge research and development in this sustainable sector.
Revolutionizing Geothermal Wellbore Technologies
With an impressive allocation of up to $23.1 million, the DOE is inviting projects that will pioneer new frontiers in downhole cement and casing evaluation tools. This initiative, framed as Topic Area 1, seeks proposals that would confront the intense temperatures and harsh environments typical of geothermal wellbores. The aim is to not only enhance the construction and cost-effectiveness of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) but also to unlock the vast potential of geothermal resources across the country, fostering energy resilience and flexibility.
Fostering Low-Temperature Geothermal Applications in Industry
Another segment of this funding opportunity, referred to as Topic Area 2, dedicates up to $7.9 million to promote the deployment of low-temperature geothermal heat in industrial settings. Specifically, this targets reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) technology operating below 130 degrees Celsius. By integrating this sustainable thermal energy within industrial processes, the initiative could significantly slash emissions and drive RTES as a mainstream solution for decarbonizing the U.S. industrial landscape.
These projects will address the cost barriers and technical limitations currently faced in wellbore construction for EGS, enabling nationwide access to stable and flexible geothermal energy. Furthermore, advancing RTES technology for industrial use marks a stride towards long-term, sustainable, and decarbonized manufacturing processes.
The Geothermal Technologies Office looks forward to a range of project proposals, with anticipated awards spread between fiscal years 2024 to 2028. The individual project funding is quite flexible, with estimates ranging from $100,000 all the way up to $10 million. This signals a diverse scale of opportunities for interested participants from various sectors.
Timely participation is crucial as the process moves swiftly: Letters of intent are expected by March 1, 2024, while full applications are to be submitted no later than April 1, 2024. This exciting announcement opens doors for innovators and industry leaders to contribute substantially toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future through advanced geothermal technologies.
